Grown-Up Pose
By Sonya Lalli
Berkley Trade Paperback
March 24, 2020
Multi-cultural Women’s Fiction
Set In: Vancouver
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this multi-cultural novel. I knew it would be the perfect way to learn about Indian culture: food, language, traditions to beliefs.
“Grown-Up Pose” by Sonya Lalli focuses on Anu Desai, a young nurse who begins to wonder if there’s more to life than being a wife to Neil and mother to Kanika. She loves her young daughter, but feels as if something is missing in her life. Having married when she was very young, she wanted to be a good daughter and do what was expected of her. She has a wonderful home, was nurtured by a caring Indian family, but a part of her still felt unfulfilled. Then there’s her husband’s inability to pick up after himself and to rekindle their romance. All there is left is constant arguments.
When she informed her parents that her husband was moving out, they were in denial. The dismantling of their lovely family seemed unacceptable. Finding happiness and contentment was unknown territory. Anu didn’t know where to start her exploration. By chance, she meets Ryan which has her friends Monica and Jenny worried that she’ll start another serious relationship and miss out yet again in the learning phase of life. She still didn’t know who she was as an individual. She was financially responsible, living within her means and she was a good role model for her daughter. She was grateful for everything in her life and yet she felt as if she was missing out on something. Opportunity doesn’t strike until she steps foot into a nearly empty yoga studio. Until she meets Mags, the owner, and Imogen the yoga trainer. From there, her life takes on a new direction. Her relationship with Ryan becomes a well-learned lesson. Her need to explore what it is to be young and free eventually brings her full circle. She realizes what’s really important in life and how precious it is.
The title says it all. This book is about growing up and realizing what’s truly important. I was interested in following Anu on her journey and in the wings was yelling for her to “not” do certain things. The mom in me, I guess. I was equally interested in her parents’ relationship, their work and goals, and how they supported her. That tension was there when Anu really didn’t want to listen to her parents. Then there was her long-term friendship with Jenny and Monica and a new friendship with Imogen. All in all, Anu learned what it means to truly be involved in a loved one or friend’s life. Sometimes, you don’t have to go too far to find out what’s really important.
Four and a half yoga poses out of five
Denise Fleischer
gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com
April 1, 2020
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